wfn.org | Church relief agency responds to El Salvador catastrophe

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

Jan. 16, 2001   News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-21-32-71B{014}

NEW YORK (UMNS) -- The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will
work with local church officials and Action By Churches Together (ACT) to
respond to the Jan. 13 earthquake in El Salvador.

Eli Rivera, a staff executive for the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries, UMCOR's parent organization, happened to be in El Salvador when
the devastation occurred.

"The damage is massive, but the people are trying to cope as best they can,"
he said. "We are asking United Methodists to include the people of El
Salvador in their prayers and to give generously so that we can begin to
help them put their lives back together."

The earthquake, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale, has killed more
than 600 people, and more than 500 are missing and feared dead. Thousands
lost their homes in mudslides. 

A response team, organized by the Methodist Church in El Salvador, has been
set up in Ahuachan. UMCOR will send funds to help the churches in El
Salvador minister to victims and assist with cleanup efforts.

Donations may be designated to UMCOR Advance No. 511447-8, "El Salvador
earthquake." Checks may be dropped in church collection plates or mailed to
UMCOR at 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Credit-card
donations may be made by calling (800) 554-8583.

Because roads were destroyed and delivery of supplies is still difficult, if
not impossible, donations of material resources are not being accepted.
Volunteer teams are expected to be needed within the next two months to help
repair damage from the earthquake. Those interested can call the Volunteer
Hotline at (800) 918-3100.

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United Methodist News Service
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